The Indianapolis Colts are having a fantastic season. But are they legitimate Super Bowl contenders?
Indianapolis has overachieved this year, posting an 8-3 record. They’ve already matched their win total from last season.
The Colts blew a 20-9 lead in their recent game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Abandoning the run game, Indy lost to Kansas City 23-20 in overtime. The Chiefs, who were 5-5 heading into the game aren’t the typical 5-5 team. Patrick Mahomes and Co. have won three Super Bowls within the past six years.
Although the Colts should’ve won that contest, they possess the talent to make their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2009 season.
Despite Recent Collapse, the Colts Are Still Super Bowl Contenders
Jonathan Taylor is “The Man”
There are several reasons for the Colts’ success this year. Without a doubt, Jonathan Taylor is the main reason. The two-time Pro Bowler is having an MVP campaign, leading the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Taylor has put together several memorable performances like his 286 all-purpose yards, three-touchdown performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin.
A non-quarterback hasn’t won an MVP since 2012 (running back Adrian Peterson). With that said, Taylor probably won’t win the award this year. Instead, a quarterback like Drake Maye will likely take home the honors. However, Taylor is arguably the NFL’s best running back and he gives Indy a realistic chance at winning a Super Bowl.
There’s Finally a Franchise QB in Indy
Ever since Andrew Luck retired abruptly in 2019, the Colts have had a difficult time finding a replacement. Landing a franchise quarterback certainly isn’t an easy task. Just ask teams like the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
Over the years, Indianapolis has brought in several signal-callers like Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew, and Anthony Richardson, who was drafted fourth overall in 2023.
Thankfully for Colts fans, they now have a franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones. The former Duke star was considered a bust during his time with the New York Giants. Yet, Jones has transformed into a star in his first season in Indianapolis. He is fourth in the league in passing yards with 2,840.
Jones isn’t the same disappointing player that he was in New York, and he could help lead the Colts to a Super Bowl.
They Could Have One of the League’s Best Secondaries
Colts fans were angry with general manager Chris Ballard last season for not addressing the secondary. This year, though, has been an entirely different story. In the offseason, Ballard signed cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum. Then he later traded for cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at the NFL trade deadline.
Gardner is so good that the Colts had to trade two first-round picks to acquire him from the New York Jets. If he can return to the shutdown cornerback that he was a few years ago, it increases the Colts’ chances of making the Super Bowl.
And if big-time contributors like Gardner, Ward, Bynum, and veteran Kenny Moore II can all stay healthy, Indianapolis could possess the best secondary in the league. Everybody knows the saying: Defense Wins Championships.
Main Image: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images
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